Process and apparatus for forming rolled slivers



March 14, 1967 5, ALLES ET AL 3,309,034

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING ROLLED SLIVERS Filed Nov. 10, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet l March 14, 1967 D 5, L s ET AL 3,309,034

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING ROLLED SLIVERS Filed Nov. 10, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet z INVENfl'fi 0/77/0 flLLiS, ROBE 455 6671 5 BY/gm Mardl 14, 1967 5, ALLES ET AL 3,309,034

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING ROLLED SLIVERS Filed Nov. 10, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

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United States Patent Office 3,309,034 Patented Mar. 14, 1967 poration of Delaware Filed Nov. 10, 1964, Ser. No. 410,243 11 Claims. (Cl. 24255) This invention relates to the processing of textile fibers and, more particularly, to a method and means for merging fibers into rolled slivers having exceptional uniformity.

In certain methods for making non-Woven fabrics, groups of fibers are aligned in the same direction and then merged into a larger group or body. Certain problems have been encountered in producing satisfactory and reproducible uniformity when merging these groups of fibers into larger bodies.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a method and means for producing a rolled sliver having exceptional uniformity. A further object is to provide a method and means for forming a rolled sliver having reproducible uniformity and either variable radial fiber or uniform density. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The objects of this invention are accomplished by a process for forming rolled slivers from web sections of fibers having orientation predominantly in one direction which comprises, in general, forwarding the web sections in the direction of orientation, directing one longitudinal edge of the web section upwardly, contacting the upwardly directed longitudinal edge to roll the web section upon itself and vibrating the web section throughout the rolling in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rolling web section.

The novel apparatus of this invention comprises means forwarding web sections in their direction of orientation, means causing one longitudinal edge of a web section to be directed upwardly, means contacting the upwardly directed edge to roll the web section upon itself and means vibrating the web section throughout the rolling in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rolling web section. In a preferred embodiment, the web section is rolled upon itself in a direction of from about 20 to about 75 transversely to the direction of orientation of the fibers, preferably from about 25 to about 40.

The embodiments of this invention and the advantages can be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of this invention,

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation view in perspective of the embodiment of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 3 is a front elevation view in perspective of the embodiment of FIGURE 1,

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIGURE 1 and shows another embodiment of this invention,

FIGURES 5 through 8 are diagrammatic views sequentially illustrating the rolling of the web section by the embodiment of this invention shown in FIGURE 1, and

FIGURES 9 through 11 are side elevation views, each illustrating one type of rolled sliver formed by alternative embodiments of this invention.

Referring to FIGURES 1 through 3, there is shown one embodiment of the novel apparatus of this invention. Horizontal bottom conveyor 10, driven by means not shown, moves in the direction indicated by arrow A carrying web sections 12 thereon. Top conveyor 14 is disposed above and transversely with respect to bottom conveyor 10. Motor 16 rests on platform 18 and is se cured thereto by means of bolts 21. Platform 18 is in turn mounted on supporting frame 20. Top conveyor 14 1s driven by means of motor 16 which is connected to roll 22 by means of sprocket chain 24. Pipe line 26, supplying a compressed fluid from a source not shown, is disposed below bottom conveyor 10. The pipe line termimates in a section having a multiplicity of fine holes 28. Electric eye 30 is operably connected by means not shown to a solenoid in the pipe line to control the discharge of compressed fluid. Fluted roll 32 provides the top conveyor 14 with a vibrating force.

FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIGURE 1 and illustrates an alternative embodiment of this invention. As opposed to the substantially straight bottom surface of top conveyor 14 which is illustrated in FIGURES 1 through 3, the embodiment of FIGURE 4 presents a curved surface with respect to contact with web section 12. Shoe 34 connected to frame 29 by support members 36 causes the bottom of conveyor belt 14 to present a curved surface to web section 12 as it is rolled between points m and n.

With reference to FIGURES 5 through 8, there is sequentially shown the rolling of web section 12 to form a rolled sliver by utilizing the embodiment of FIGURE 1. In FIGURE 5, web section 12 is shown passing under top conveyor 14. FIGURE 6 illustrates web section 12 beginning to roll upon itself, one longitudinal edge having been directed upwardly to contact the bottom of top conveyor 1 by means of compressed fluid emitted from the multiplicity of fine holes 28. FIGURE 7 shows web section 12 continuing to roll upon itself and FIGURE 8 shows web section 12 having completed the rolling.

FIGURES 9 through 11 illustrate side elevation views of different types of rolled slivers which can be made by utilizing alternative embodiments of this invention. FIGURE 9 shows a rolled sliver which has been prepared by contacting web section 12 with a small constant slope (as hereinafter defined and as illustrated in FIG- URES 5 through 8). FIGURE 10 shows a rolled sliver prepared by contacting *web section 12 with an increasing slope as shown in FIGURE 4. FIGURE 11 shows a rolled sliver which has been formed by contacting web section 12 with a constant slope which is less than the small constant slope (as hereinafter defined).

The operation of one embodiment of this invention is as follows. Sections of a carded web consisting of staple fibers or sections of continuous filaments are deposited onto the bottom conveyor. As a particular web section on the bottom conveyor travels to a certain point, preferably where the first point of the trailing edge of the Web section passes under the first point of the top conveyor, the electric eye activates the solenoid fluid valve. The compressed fluid from the supply pipe then directs one longitudinal edge of the web section upwardly against the bottom of the top conveyor, which in turn rolls the web section as it travels across the bottom conveyor. The relative speeds of the top and bottom conveyors are adjusted with respect to the particular transverse angle at which the top conveyor is placed in relation to the bottom conveyor, the adjustment being such as to prevent any differential movement between the surface of the rolling web section and the surface of the top conveyor. As the web section is being rolled upon itself, the fluted roll causes the top conveyor to produce a vibrating force in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rolling web section and along the full length of the rolling web section. This vibrating force facilitates merging of the fibers during rolling to produce a more nearly uniform sliver of higher density.

The formed rolled slivers may then be removed by utilizing an inclined chute or conveyor to deliver the rolled slivers to trays or special transfer conveyors.

The uniformity of fiber density in the rolled sliver essentially depends upon the slope and contour of the bottom surface of the top conveyor which contacts the rolling web section. When a uniform radial fiber density (i.e., the density is substantially the same from the center of the rolled sliver to the periphery) is desired, the surface should be essentially fiat and contact the rolling web section with a small constant slope throughout the rolling. This small constant slope should be calculated before the web section is caused to roll upon itself to form the rolled sliver. An exemplary method for making such calculation is hereinafter described. From the weight (in pounds) of the Web section, w, which is to be rolled and the fiber, density, d, which is desired in the rolled sliver, the cross-sectional area, a, of the rolled sliver can be determined by utilizing the formula, volume:w/d. The area, a, will then be numerically equal to the volume, if the length of the rolled sliver is one foot. From the area, a, the diameter of the rolled sliver, D, can then be calculated by using the formula 12-J D (inches) To obtain uniform radial fiber density (as shown by'the rolled sliver of FIGURE 9), the divergence, AB (shown in FIGURE between the top and bottom conveyor belts is made equal to D. The divergence A-B is the vertical distance between the top and bottom conveyor at the point where the sliver is discharged from the bottom conveyor. If the slope of the bottom surf-ace of the top conveyor increases as shown in FIGURE 4 between points In and n, the rolled sliver produced will have a higher density at the core and a lower density at the periphery (as shown in FIGURE 10). If the divergence A.B is set at an amount less than the diameter, D, hereinbefore calculated, and rolled sliver is produced using a constant slope, the rolled sliver will have a lower density at the core and a higher, density at the periphery (as shown in FIGURE 11).

FIGURE 4 shows one preferred curvature of the bottom of the top conveyor wherein the .web section, as it is rolling, is provided with a surface contacting it with a gradually increasing slope. This yields a rolled sliver which has a radial fiber density which gradually decreases from the center to the periphery. Depending upon the type of variable radial fiber density which is desired, many different geometric shapes may be advantageously used. For example, conveyor surfaces in the form of sections of parabolic curves and'circles have been utilized.

At point E in FIGURE 5 adequate clearance must be maintained-between the two conveyor belts to permit the web section to enter into the position for rolling without starting to roll prematurely.

The fiber density of the rolled slivers, either constant or variable in a radial direction, may vary from about 0.05 to about 2.0 lbs/cu. ft., according to this invention.

The starting material may be sections of a single layer of a carded web or multiple layers of a carded web. The carded web may be prepared so as to have either a uniformfiber density or to have a variable longitudinal fiber density, i.e., a varying density from one edge to the other. in the direction of fiber orientation. A web having a variable longitudinal fiber density could be manuallymade by cutting a carded web of fibers in a zigzag pattern to form tapered web sections. For most purposes, the operating range of the fiber density for the carded web is from about 0.05 pound per cubic foot to about 1.0 pound per cubic foot.

Additionally, the carded web may have a binder materialbpresent. Any suitable thermoplastic or thermosetting resinous or rubber binder composition may be applied to the carded Web by known means. Suitable or ganic-soluble binders include natural rubber or synthetic elastomers (e.g., ohloroprene, butadiene-styrene copoly mers, but-adiene-acrylonitrile copolymers), which may be used in the form of a latex dispersion or emulsion or in the form of a solution, vinyl acetate polymers and copolymers, acrylic polymers and copolymers such as those made from ethyl acrylate, methyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, acrylic acid/acrylic and met-hacrylic ester copolymers, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate, polyester resins such as ethylene terephthalate/ethylene. isophthalate copolymers, polyurethanes such as the polymer from piperazine and ethylene bischloroform=ate, polyamide polymers and copolymers, methoxymethyl polyamides, vinyl chloride polymers and copolymers such as vinyl chloride/vinylidene chloride copolymer latices. Alcohol soluble polyamide resins are also suitable organic-soluble binders. Suitable water-soluble binders include materials such as polyvinyl alcohol, sodium alginate, acrylic acid polymers and copolymers such as polyacrylic acid, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, dextrins, animal glue, soybean glue and sodium silicate. Suitable binders which are insoluble in organic solvents include polytetrafiuoroethylene and urea-formaldehyde resin latices.

Additional suitable binder compositions include chlorosulfonated polyethylene; butyl rubbers, such as isobutylene/isoprene copolymers; polyhydrocar-bons, such as polyethylene, polypropylene and the like and copolymers thereof; high molecular Weight polyethylene glycols sold under the trade name of Polyox; epoxide resins, such as the diepoxide of bisphenol; polystyrene; alkyd resins, suchas polyesters of glycerol with phthalic' or maleic acid; polyester resins such as from propylene glycolmaleic anhydride-styrene; phenoltorrnaldehyde resins; resorcinol-formaldehyde resins; polyvinyl acetals, such as polyvinyl butyral and polyvinyl formal; polyvinyl ethers, such as polyvinyl iso butyl ether; starch, zein, casein, gelatine, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, polyvinyl fluoride, natural gums, polyisobutylene, shellac, terpene resinsand rosin soaps. Segmented polymers,

such as spandex polymers, polyether amides, polyether' urethanes (e.g., those in US. Patent No- 2,929,800)

and polyester/urethanes are'also suitable. Also, a binder may be deposited on the carded web; a binder range of from about 4% to about 20% based on the total weight of the fibers being adequate for most purposes.

The binder composition may 'be applied to the fibers by means of dipping, spraying, and other known means provided the binder composition is used sparingly to attach fibers together at spaced contact points throughout the three dimensions of the web. In place of using resinous binders for attachment of fibers there may be used fiber solvents or partial solvents for point weldingthe fibers together, various heating means such as ultrahighfrequency may be used to point weld the fibers together, as Well as other known methods, forexarnple, including a binder fiber of lower softening point than the structural fiber within the web material, and then heating the web to soften the binder fiber and attach the structural fibers together at a temperature above the softening point of the binder fiber, but below the softening point of the structural fiber.

A variety of different fibrous materials may be used in forming thecardedweb. Typical of the crimped staple fibers which may be employed are those made of polyamides, such as poly (hexamethylene adipamide), poly(metaphenylene isophthalamide), poly(hexamet-hylene sebacamide), polybenzimidazole, polycaproamide, copolyamides and irradiation grafted polyamides, polyesters and copolyesters such as. condensation products of ethylene glycol with terephethalic/isophthalic acids, thylene glycol with a 98/2 mixture of terephthalic/S- (sodium sulfo)-isophth alic acids; and :trans-p-hexahydroxylylene glycol with terephthalic acid, self-elongating ethylene terephthalate polymers, polyacrylonitrile, copolyme-rs of acrylonitrile with other monomers such as vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, methyl acrylate vinyl pyridine, sodium styrene sulfonate, terpolymers of acrylonitrile/methylacrylate/sodium styrene sulfonate made in accordance with US. Patent No. 2,837,501, vinyl and vinylidene polymers and copolymers, polycarbonates, polyacetals, polyethers, polyurethanes such as segmented polymers described in Us. Patents 2,957,852 and 2,929,- 804, polyesteramides, polysulfonamides, polyethylenes, polypropylenes, fiuorinated and/or chlorinated ethylene polymers and copolymers (e.g., polytetrafiuoroethylene, polytrifluorochloroethylene), certain cellulose derivatives, such as cellulose acetate, cellulose triacetate, regenerated cellulose, composite filaments such as, for example, a sheath of polyamide around a core of polyester as described in US. Patent No. 3,038,236 and self-crimped composite filaments, such as, two acrylonitrile polymers differing in ionizable group content cospun side by side as described in US. Patent No. 3,038,237, and the like. Mixtures or blends of synthetic organic polymer fibers with natural fibers such as cotton, wool, mohair and the like may also be advantageously utilized for many applications. Blends of two or more synthetic organic fibers may likewise be utilized.

For a clearer understanding of the invention, the following specific example is given. This example is in tended to be merely illustrative of the invention and not in limitation thereof. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts are by weight.

Example A blend of polyethylene terephthalate fibers composed of 60 parts by weight of 4 denier per filament, 2-inch (5.1 cm.) long staple fibers having a 3-dimensional curvilinear crimp and 40 parts of 1.5 denier per filament, 1.5-inch (3.8 cm.) long staple fibers having a stuffer box type of crimp was carded to form a carded web weighing 322 grains per yard (21.6 gms./m.). The carded web was transferred to a dotting cylinder, having longitudinal taped sections to permit the removal of discrete sections of carded web from the dotting cylinder and to convey the separate sections of carded web to the bottom conveyor of a sliver rolling unit, similar to the embodiment shown in FIGURE 1. The speed of the beit on the bottom conveyor carrying the carded Web was 55 feet per minute (16.75 rn./min.) and the speed of the belt on the top conveyor was 110 feet per minutes (33.5 m./min.). The top conveyor was positioned transversely to the bottom conveyor at an angle of 30 degrees to the path of travel of the bottom conveyor. The contour of the lower surface of the top conveyor was such that it was approximately 1.3 inches (3.3 cm.) from the bottom conveyor across about'25% of the bottom belt and then diverged to a spacing at the opposite side of about 3.5 inches (8.9 -cm.). The compressed air pipe was displaced in from the far edge of the bottom conveyor belt a distance of 4 inches (10.2 cm.). Both conveyor belts were made of porous fabric, the upper conveyor belt being unsupported, and the bottom conveyor belt supported on a stationary hardboard bed. The fluted roll to vibrate the upper conveyor belt was positioned as shown in FIGURE 2. The compressed air was turned on at the time when the web on the lower conveyor came under the upper conveyor, as shown in FIGURE 1, at which point the edge of the web was blown against the lower surface of the upper conveyor, and the web began to roll upon itself. As soon as the roiling web was completely rolled and reached the end of the upper conveyor, the rolled sliver was allowed to drop into a chute to convey it away from the vibrating belt on the upper conveyor. At this stage the completely rolled sliver had an average fiber density of 0.228 pound per cubic foot (3.66 kg./cubic meter). The rolled sliver appeared to be of uniformly 8 good quality and was free from most visual non-uniformities. This rolled sliver had a gradually decreasing density in a radial direction moving from the center of the sliver to the periphery of the sliver.

Several of these rolled slivers were placed side by side standing up in a rectangular perforated mold (made in accordance with the general procedures outlined in US. Patent No. 3,085,922) and the mold filled with the rolled slivers which were trimmed even to the top of the mold. This mold was then closed and was immersed completely in a binder composition which was prepared as follows: 234 pounds of a 15% by weight solution was formed by dissolving a copolyester resin, consisting of ethylene terephthalate/ethylene sebacate (55/45 molar ratio), in 1,1,2-trichloroethane. The above copolyester resin solution was diluted by mixing with gallons of trichloro- "ethylene. After dilution, 46.8 pounds of a butylatedmelamine/formaldehyde soluble prepolymer resin solution was added by mixing. This prepolymer solution contained 60% by weight resin dissolved in 1:1 solution of xylene/butanol. The butylated-melamine/formalde hyde resin solution was composed of 28.1 pounds of prepolymer resin. The combined binder composition in the mixture of solvents produced a total of 3.3% by weight resin concentration in solution, which was further diluted, to produce, a 2% by weight total resin solution by mixing together 82 gallons of the 3.3% solution with additional amounts consisting of 54.3 gallons of trichloroethylene, 6.1 gallons of 1,1,2-trichloroethane and 0.6 gallon of butanol. The mold was withdrawn from the bind-er solution and suspended in air in order to drain off excess binder solution from the mold. The mold was placed in an air oven for 1 hour at 177 C. in order to dry off the remaining solvent and set the binder on the fibers at spaced points. The resulting porous bonded fiber block Was removed from the mold and was observed to have a uniform surface on all faces of the block. Thin sheets, /s of an inch (0.318 cm.) thick, were sliced from the block perpendicular to the fiber direction with a cutting knife. One face of the thin porous bonded fiber sheet was sprayed lightly with 1 ounce per square yard (23.7 gms./sq. m.) of an adhesive composition, an 11% by weight solution of copolyester resin consisting of ethylene terephthalate/ethylene azealate (60/40 molar ratio) in methylene chloride. The sprayed face of the sheet was then placed against the face of a light-Weight woven cotton fabric and the laminated assembly held together with light pressure in an oven at C. (302 F.) for 2 hours to set the adhesive. The result was a soft, drapable pile fabric, the pile surface of which appeared to be uniform and free from visual irregularities.

Although the novel apparatus hereinbefore described illustrated a fluted roll as the motive force for vibration, it should be obvious that the invention is not so restricted. It is preferred to utilize mechanical vibration but other generally low-frequency vibration forces such as sonic or electrical vibration may also be used.

Also, even though air is preferred, any suitable high velocity fluid may be used to initiate the rolling of the Web section. Any fiuid used should, of course, be inert with respect to the fiber composition of the web section. The high velocity fluid supply should be placed in a suitable position to cause a longitudinal edge of the web section to be directed upwardly to contact the top conveyor and to start the web section rolling upon itself.

With respect to the means for forwarding the web sections and the means for contacting the web section and rolling it upon itself, the invention should not be limited to the use of belt conveyors. Other means can be advantageously utilized. However, when conveyors are used, the bottom conveyor will normally be operated at a speed in the range of from about 30 to about feet per minute (9.15 to 48.8 m/min.) and the top conveyor Will be operated at approximately twice the speed of the bottom conveyor. The relative speeds of the conveyors,

7v as Well as the transverse angle of the top conveyor, should Jae adjusted so that there is no relative motion between the surface of the top conveyor and the rolling web section.

As to the electric eye hereinbefore described, any conventional means can be advantageously utilized to synchronize the discharge of the high velocity fluid with the passage of a particular web section under the top conveyor. Similarly, the positioning of the means used is, of course, not critical With respect to the web sections, the longitudinal dimension will generally be in the range of from about 12 inches to about 26 inches (30.5 cm. to 66.0 cm.). The exact dimension will generally be determined by the particular end use. Additionally, it should be obvious that more than one Web section could be used. For example, a plurality of'web sectionscould be stacked in an aligned relationship and then processed by this invention to form the rolled sliver.

The distance between the top conveyor. and the bottom conveyor can be varied as desired but generally depends upon such factors as the weight of the web section being rolled and the density desired for the rolled sliver. \Vhen a uniformdensity rolled sliver is desired, the top conveyor will generally diverge from the bottom conveyor at an angle in the range of from'about 20 to about 10.

It is preferred to position the top conveyor transversely with respect to the bottom conveyor. However, it should be apparent that the invention is not so limited. For example, the top conveyor could be positioned to roll the web sectionupon itself in the direction directly opposite to that in which the web section had been traveling upon the bottom conveyor. In this embodiment, the web section would have to be turned 90 so that the desired fiber orientation in the rolled sliver will be maintained.

The present invention provides a novel method and means for producing predetermined regulation of the fiber density in the rolled slivers. The fiber densitymay be regulated to produce a rolled sliver having any of the following structures: Uniform fi-ber density in all directions, uniform radial fiber density and variable longitudinal fiber density, variable radial fiber density and uniform longitudinal fiber density and variable radial fiber density and a variable longitudinal fiber density. The

rolled slivers produced by this invention may advan-..

tageou-sly be merged to produce non-woven textiles having uniform properties and few visible .non-uniformities. Additionally, the rolled slivers may be utilized in the preparation of non-woven fleeces, pile fabrics, apparel fabrics and floor coverings where it is desired to avoid norr-uniformities where bodies of fibers have been merged during the process of manufacture or Where it is desired to mask the appearance of any merge lines, weld lines, and the like, in producing textile materials by combining a plurality of slivers.

The rolled slivers made in accordance with this invention may be used .in preparing the fiber blocks and cut sheets described in US. Patent No. 3,085,922. The rolled slivers may be packed together to form different shaped fiber blocks, such as cubes, rectangular blocks, radial muffs and the like. The more uniform rolled sliverprepared according to this invention may be used in the production of a wide variety of non-woven apparel and industrial textiles.

Since many different embodiments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrations except to the extent defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is: l

1. A method for forming rolled slivers from web sections of fibers having orientation predominantly in one direction which comprises forwarding said web sections in said direction of orientation, directing one longituidnal edge of said web section upwardly, contacting said upwardly directed edge to rollsaid web section upon itself and vibrating said web section throughout the rolling in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rolling web section.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said web section has a variable longitudinal fiber density.

3. A method for forming rolled slivers from Web sections of fibers having orientation predominantly. in one direction which comprises forwarding said web sections in said direction of orientation, directing one longitudinal edge of said Web section upwardly, contacting said tipwardly directed edge with a surface having a small constant slope to roll said websection upon itself and vibrat ing said web section throughout the rolling in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rolling web section.

d. The method of claim 3 wherein said web section has a variable longitudinal fiber density.

5. A method for forming rolled slivers from wch sec; tions of fibers having orientation predominantlyin one direction which comprises forwarding said Web sections in said direction of orientation, directing a longitudinal edge of said web section upwardly, contacting said .upwardly directed edge with a surface having its exterior contour curved and with a gradually increasing slope to roll said websection upon itself and vibrating s'aid Web section, throughout the rollingin a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rolling web section.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said web se'ctiofi has a variable longitudinal fiber density.

7. A method for forming rolled slivers from web sections of fibers having orientation predominantly in one direction which comprises forwarding said web sections in said direction of orientation, directing one longitudinal edge of said web section upwardly, contacting said up-' wardly directed edge to roll said web section upon itself in the direction of travel and at an angle in the range of from about 20 to about 75 transversely to said direction of orientation and vibrating said web section throughout the rolling in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rolling web section.

8. Apparatusfor forming rolled slivers from web sections of fibers having orientation predominantly in one direction which comprises means forwarding said web sections in said direction of orientation, means causing on longitudinal edgeof saidiweb section to be directed up= wardly, means contacting said upwardly directed edge to. roll said web section upon itself in the direction of travel.

and at an angle in. the range of from about 20 to about 75 transversely to said direction of orientation and means vibrating said web section throughout the rolling in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of said rolling web section.

9. Apparatus for forming rolled slivers from web sections of fibers having orientation predominantly in one direction which comprises means forwarding said web sections in said direction of orientation, means causing one longitudinal edge of said web section to be directed upwardly, means contacting said upwardly directed edge with a surface having a small constant slope to roll said web section upon itself in the direction of, travel and at an'angle in the range of from about 20 to about 75 transversely to said direction of orientation andmeans vibrating said web section throughout the rolling in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of said rolling web section. V

10. Apparatus for forming rolled slivers from web sections of fibers having orientation predominantly'in one direction which comprises means forwarding said web sections in said direction of orientation, means causing one longitudinal edge of said web section to be directed upwardly, means contacting said upwardly directededge with a surface having its exterior contour curved and with a gradually increasing slope to roll said web section upon itself in the direction of travel and at an angle in the range of from about 20 to about 75 transversely to said direction of orientation and means vibrating said web sections throughout the rolling in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of said rolling web section.

11. Apparatus for forming rolled slivers from web sections of fibers having orientation predominantly in one direction which comprises first conveyor means forwarding said web sections in said direction of orientation, means causing one longitudinal edge of said web section to be directed upwardly, second conveyor means contacting said upwardly directed edge to roll said web section upon itself in the direction of travel and at an angle in the range of from about 20 to about 75 transversely to said direction of orientation and means vibrating said web section throughout the rolling in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of said rolling web section.

References Cited by the Examiner FRANK J. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

G. F. MAUTZ, Assistant Examiner. 

8. APPARATUS FOR FORMING ROLLED SILVERS FROM WEB SECTIONS OF FIBERS HAVING ORIENTATION PREDOMINANTLY IN ONE DIRECTION WHICH COMPRISES MEANS FORWARDING SAID WEB SECTIONS IN SAID DIRECTION OF ORIENTATION, MEAN CAUSING ONE LONGITUDINAL EDGE OF SAID WEB SECTION TO BE DIRECTED UPWARDLY, MEANS CONTACTING SAID UPWARDLY DIRECTED EDGE TO ROLL SAID WEB SECTION UPON ITSELF IN THE DIRECTION OF TRAVEL AND AT AN ANGLE IN THE RANGE OF FROM ABOUT 20* TO ABOUT 